Buttonhook/Floating Patio Open

Today, the Buttonhook opens for business at 4:00 pm, with lunch served starting at 11:00 am on the week-end.

The floating Patio will also open around noon with limited items available. We aren't really ready, but hey, it's Bayview Daze. Please have Patience as we solve the start up challenges, but be sure to tell us if any thing makes you unhappy so that the oops can be quickly corrected.

The phone for the 'Hook is 683-2011 with a phone to be hooked up at the patio sometime today. Cash machines are available in both locations, or will be sometime today.

There is new management at both the Buttonhook and Floating Patio. It's a hectic opening, but Bayview Daze couldn't be put off Previously, the Patio and 'Hook were under different management, which wasn't satisfactory for either. An out of town operator at the Hook decided to hang it up. (pun intended) The phone at the Buttonhook hjas changed to 683-2011. The Patio phone will not be installed until Friday.

Lake Pend Oreille

Some panic has ensued over a TV broadcast which many boaters misinterpreted. Normal boating is OK as always. The no-wake zones are being patrolled more strictly, due to the water still being a few inches above normal Summer level. Water police will be present to take care of thoughtless boaters. The rest shouldn't even notice.Scenic Bay, is totally a no wake zone, as it has been for many years.

The flooding of last week has receded, parking lots and dock accesses are free of water. The only additional restriction the state has imposed is that instead of the usual 200 foot no Wake zones that are always in force, they have imposed a 500 foot buffer. That just means speed boats need to stay out further from shore, so as not to send damaging wakes into floating docks and low lying buildings.

It all boils down to common courtesy. Go out there, have a lot of fun, remember fireworks are Sunday night this year. Party at the Captain's Wheel, which recently reopened, as well as the floating patio and the Buttonhook. The 'Hook will go back to more upscale menus, since with the Wheel, there are lower price options out there.
Don't forget the Bay Cafe for breakfast and lunch as well as the always interesting and entertaining Ralph's Coffee house featuring a beer garden and food all day long.

None of the newly opened facilities has had time to shake out the newness, so please, have patience. It's been a long two years, and we are within a few weeks of normalcy, whatever that is in Bayview. Come on down, bring your boat, have fun in the sun. The weather forcast is excellent, unlike last year, where visitors wore coats.The day of the parade, Sunday the 3rd, the temps should be in the 80's.

Bayview Daze Activities

Friday, July 1

10:00 am - 7:00 pm Arts & Crafts Street Fair

Saturday, July 2
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Petting Zoo (next to J.D.'s)
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Camel Rides (next to J.D.'s
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Camel Dung Bingo - (Same place as Camels)
11:00 am - 12:00pm Street Parade (Main Street)
12:00 pm - 4:00pm Kid's Arts & Crafts (next door to J.D's)
12:00 pm - ?? Whitecaps Fun Center (lot next to Mercantile)
1:00 pm - 3:00pm Lorah's Storytime (next to J.D.'s

Sunday, July 3

10:00 am - 7:00 pm Arts & Crafts Street Fair (Marietta Road)
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Petting Zoo
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Camel Rides
10:00 am - 7:00 pm Camel Dung Bingo
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Kids Arts & Crafts
12:00 pm - ??? Whitecaps Fun Center
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Lorah's Storytime
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Pet Costume Contest (Buttonhook Front Lawn)
Kid/adult Raffles and music at the Buttonhook Inn Lawn
Raffle tickets on sale at Kids Arts and Crafts next to J.D.'s
Approximately 9;30 pm Lighted Boat Parade
Approximately10:00 pm Fireworks Show (Scenic Bay)

Monday, July 4

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Arts & Crafts Street Fair (Marietta Road)
Questions or applications for Street Fair 208-683-2243

Business Activities

Friday, July 1

9:00 pm - 1:00 am Live Band "Fly" (The Captain's Wheel)

Saturday, July 2

8:00 am - 11:00 am Lynn's Homemade Biscuits & Gravy (J.D.'s Resort)
12:00 pm (After Parade) $1000 Cash Raffle Drawing (Outside the Mercantile)
12:00 pm (After Parade) Classic Car Show with-
with The HooDoo Hoedowners (Scenic Motel)
12:00 pm (After Parade) Backyard BBQ (J.D.'s Resort)
11:00 am to close Lunch and dinner, plus Bar service - Buttonhook Inn
10:00 AM - 10.00 PM Floating Patio (burgers, sandwiches & Drinks)
All Day Bayview Art Club, live acoustic music, beer & wine garden
Ralph's Coffee House
Breakfast Buffet & Hometown BBQ (The Bay Cafe)
7:00 pm - 12:00 am Live Band "Innersanctum" J.D.'s Resort
9:00 pm - 1:00 am Live Band "Fly" (The Captain's Wheel)

Sunday, July 3

8:00 am - 11:00 am Lynn's Homemade Buscuits & Gravy. (J.D.'s Resort)
12: pm Bsckyard BBQ at J.D.'Resort
11:00 am - 10:00 pm Buttonhook Inn for lunch-dinner and drinks
All Day Bayview Art Club, live acoustic music, beer & wine garden
Ralph's Coffee House
Breakfast Buffet & Hometown BBQ (The Bay Cafe)
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Live Band "The Wilson's." (J.D.'s Resort)
7;00 PM - 12:00 am live band, "Innersanctum." (J.D.'s Resort)
9:00 pm - 1:00 am - Live Band, "Fly." (The Captain's Wheel)

Please refrain from using fireworks on or about the docks. Due to some sour grape factors from the group that previously ran the street fair, the Lakes Hwy District has declined the road closure permit for Marietta Road. We ask that cars do not use that road during the street fair, as it is extremely dangerous for Pedestrians.

Free Concert

Flash Dope On The New Openings

At long last, the Captain's Wheel will open, Saturday, June 25. Some new people and some familiar ones will be there to serve you. I am confident that this new crew and the management behind them are the real deal. Make them welcome.

The Buttonhook and the Patio will open the following weekend under a special license only good for the holiday weekend. Following that, both will remain open with BYOB in place until a liquor license is in place. The bring your own drinks will include beer, wine and hard liquor. The law allows this but doesn't allow employees to touch the containers.There will be a nominal fee for set-ups.

I will be working days at the Patio and am ready to welcome all of the dock people back. We will have burgers and a few other snacks as well as, (blush) Herb's famous potato salad. Come on down. We will be getting a gas delivery soon, so we can fuel boats as well.

Help will be needed for the Patio, so if you are a friendly experienced bartender or waitress, call me at 683-9107.

Bayview Daze 2011

Contrary to the story making the rounds, fireworks will not likely be affected by flooding, since the water level is receding some. The slow spring melt with cool weather has caused the waters to rise slowly over a longer period of time than could have been the case. With hot weather coming, the lake is expected to rise a little, but no severe flooding is now predicted.

The re-opening of Bayview's two restaurants is expected soon. The Captain's Wheel will most likely open at the end of this week or the start of next.All this depends on not finding last minute glitches in equipment. Refrigeration doesn't do well when turned off for a couple of years.

Negotiations are under way for the re-opening of the Buttonhook as well. Liquor licence delays may have the restaurant opening without booze, but providing dinner and lunch options. The fate of the Patio is still up in the air, but most likely will not open without a liquor licence.

Camel rides will be available again this year at Bayview Daze, but remember, the fireworks will be Sunday, July 3 this year, a departure from past tradition. This was done so the show would occur in the middle of the holiday week-end.

Warm weather is coming back. Enjoy.

Flood Danger Over ... Maybe

This scene is not of the lake, but of the RV spaces north of the condos.

Flood waters on Lake Pend Oreille peaked yesterday, June 17 at Hope, but water continued to rise in the south end and is expected to gradually lower. But, look out. Starting in the next couple of days are temperatures ramping up into the 80's and lasting for several days. This could accelerate the high snow melt and cause the water to rise once more.

Meanwhile, don't expect the waters to recede with any speed. It appears we will be looking at lake levels higher that normal summer levels for at least two weeks. Again, watch the wakes. There are homes and businesses close to the water level. Any wake at all, even at 5 mph can cause a ripple that will invade these homes. Please respect lakeside dwellers.

More Flood Pictures

J.D's Frontage


Scenic Bay Marina


Scenic Bay Mariana

Scenic Bay Flood Status

Boileau's RV spots looking toward "F" dock


Runoff swale at condos/duck pond


Bridge to Floating Patio


MacDonald's West Ramp


Vista Bay Ramp

As of Wednesday, June 15, 2011, here's the scoop.

The worst case I observed was Harborview Marina. The entrance is under water, as is the gate to the docks. Hip waders or another boat will be necessary to get out to boats and float homes. The docks themselves are floating just fine. It's getting there that is the trick.

Scenic Bay Marina is next with "A" dock approaches under water, along with portions of the parking lot next to the office. Dennis has put down timbers to form a temporary walkway, so access is OK. "C" dock bridge is hinged with a small area under water also. The lake depth gauge was totally under water, so I couldn't check the lake level there.

E dock at J.D.'s is accessible with about six inches to go before that becomes a problem. "F" Dock is partially flooded at ground level ramp.

The Boileau's dock has some problems but the installation of a temporary bridge allows access. Low spots near the sea wall could overflow in the next two or three days as well. The RV spots north of the condos is a different story. Ducks and Geese have taken over from picnicers, as water flowed over the sea wall.

MacDonald's Resort is in pretty good shape unless the water comes up another foot, which it is not predicted to do. The West Ramp is closed due to the ramp being underwater.

Vista Bay looks good, there again unless the water comes up another six inches. That seems to be the level at which things start to unravel, but prediction, if they turn out to be accurate, show a rise of about 3 inches, then start to fall back gradually.

Remember water levels are in hundredths, not inches, so you need to use 8.33 for each additional inch of water. PLEASE, do not raise a wake in the bay. Even a boat going 5mph can cause water to surge over docks and bulkheads. Be kind to our waterfront neighbors. I maxed out the capacity for pictures. For more, see the follow on post, titled, "More Flood Pictures"

Summer level 2062.6
current level 2064.14
predicted 2064.33

***As of Thursday, it appears that water will continue to come up, possibly another 2inches in the next two or three days. Continuous rain coupled with higher temperatures will start the high country snow down. It may get worse, as next week rolls in.

When ?

Today marked a busy day at the Captain's Wheel as workers scurried everywhere on a mission. It turns out the new owner, Pat McIntyre decided to pretty much remodel the entire building. This is taking longer than he would like, but instead of June 17 opening, it has been moved to sometime during the following week of the 20th. Hang in there, folks.

Regarding the Buttonhook, it is looking grimmer as no ETA has been available for the liquor licence to be expected. Kim Gittel will probably not wait, it it takes us past Bayview Daze, as that would just put them back in business for about 2 months.

Flood waters are creeping up and in Bayview it appears that the water level is about one foot above normal Summer level. The lake is expected to crest at around 2064.4 by next week then start to go down. All bets are off if the weather suddenly turns hot.

Lake Pend Oreille Flood Warning

000
WGUS46 KOTX 101934
FLWOTX
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE, WA
1234 PM PDT FRI JUN 10 2011

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WARNING
FOR THE FOLLOWING LAKE IN IDAHO...

LAKE PEND OREILLE AT HOPE AFFECTING BONNER COUNTY

SEASONAL TEMPERATURES AND CONTINUED SNOW MELT ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL
SHOWERS THIS WEEK WILL RESULT IN A GRADUAL RISE ON LAKE PEND OREILLE.
THE LAKE WILL SLOWLY RISE THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

NEVER DRIVE CARS...TRUCKS OR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THROUGH FLOODED
AREAS. THE WATER MAY BE TOO DEEP TO ALLOW FOR SAFE PASSAGE. AS LITTLE
AS ONE FOOT OF WATER ON THE ROAD CAN MOVE MOST VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT:
HTTP://WATER.WEATHER.GOV/AHPS2/INDEX.PHP?WFO=OTX

&&

IDC017-110734-
/O.NEW.KOTX.FL.W.0021.110612T0508Z-000000T0000Z/
/HOPI1.1.RS.110612T0508Z.110617T1800Z.000000T0000Z.NO/
1234 PM PDT FRI JUN 10 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE, WA HAS ISSUED
* FLOOD WARNING FOR
THE LAKE PEND OREILLE AT HOPE.
* FROM SATURDAY EVENING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
* AT 8:00 AM FRIDAY THE STAGE WAS 2062.9 FEET
* FLOOD STAGE IS 2063.5 FEET.
* THE LAKE IS FORECAST TO SLOWLY RISE...REACHING 2064.4 FEET ON FRIDAY
JUNE 17TH.
* LAKE PEND OREILLE LEVELS, FORECASTED LEVELS, AND FLOOD STAGE ARE IN
REFERENCE TO THE NGVD29 DATUM. THE FLOOD STAGE OF 2063.5 FEET IS
EQUIVALENT TO AN ELEVATION ON THE NEW FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE RATE
MAPS OF 2067.3 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* AT 2063.5 FEET...MINOR FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED. SOME EROSIONAL DAMAGE
IS POSSIBLE ALONG THE WINDWARD SHORES.
* AT 2064.0 FEET...MINOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE IN CLARK FORK AND IN THE
PACK RIVER VALLEY. LAKE LEVEL OF 2064FT IS IN REFERENCE TO THE
NGVD29 DATUM.

$$

When Warned Not To Panic

Today's Associated press story published in the Spokesman-Review, starts like this:

"With few options at hand and his poll numbers sagging, President Barack Obama expressed concern Tuesday, about the sudden slowdown in the economy but said he is not worried about a second recession and the nation should "not panic."

When a president is concerned enough about the economy to make a major address such as this, folks, it's time for at least concern and possibly panic as well. Were things going along swimmingly, there would have been no speech at all. What this is in reality is damage control, or spin as it were.

If there is anyone left that still feels the recession, which now has been upgraded to "The Great Recession," ended in 2009, I suggest you pull your head out of the sand. An uptick in the stock market does not put people back to work. Only jobs can do that and that requires a totally different foreign policy and unilateral relations with our key trading partners.

First, If all of these countries were "partners," there would not be a problem. In the case of China, which bought into the United States back during Clinton's re-election campaign, it is all a one way flow. Our balance of trade is in the toilet, banks have more homes for sale than contractors or sellers combined, and activity in the construction trades moribund. This during a Spring season that normally sees construction accelerating.

The current administration waffles with statements like, "he is not worried about a second recession." Of course there is not current worry. We are still in the first one. What we have found, over and over again, is that our president declares victory without a victory, then walks away satisfied he has done his job.

Fed chairman,Ben Bernanke says, "the fed will take no action." Of course they won't. What action is available? They can hardly lower the discount rate, since it's at or near zero. If they raise interest, which is what the chairman did back in the Carter administration to straighten out the economy then. Volcker, knew that bad tasting medicine was needed, and interest rates went up to an historical level. But, the recession was killed in two years. During that time, we saw home values dumping down to in many cases, 50% of the previous market. That needs to happen now to get prices in line with incomes. During his presidential campaign, Volcker was his adviser. Where and why did he suddenly disappear? Could it be that his advice was unacceptable?

Wages need to come down in many key manufacturing jobs if we intend to compete with other countries that are producing quality goods for less than our labor force can compete with.

No recovery can take place until and unless our congress and the administration stops setting up for the next election at the expense of the country. It has become clear that both parties are hard left and right with none of the compromising that used to take place. Where is Everett Dirksen when you need him? I've never seen this country resemble more,the, "Rome is burning and Nero is fiddling."

Summer ... Maybe?

At long last, I feel compelled to declare Winter over. With tomato weather showing up this week-end,perhaps we can finally put away the coats and long sleeved shirts we have been wearing. The doldrums were especially severe yesterday. For some reason, dark skies and rain have a negative effect on my morale. But hey, today is another day.

With sunny skies and 80 degree temps predicted for the next three days, parking once again will be at a premium, as boaters park their 1 ton pickups with 30 foot trailers in front of Bayview businesses. Why the road district doesn't mark parking as one or two hour maximum, I can't say, but it sure isn't business friendly.

For the moment, it appears that the gradual warming and low night temperatures have modified flood dangers on Lake Pend Oreille, but don't count on that. The high country snow hasn't yet began to melt and we won't be safe from flooding until at least June 15 and perhaps a little longer. One warm "pineapple express," sent to us by Hawaii could change all of that in a hurry.

We are still waiting for the two larger restaurants in Bayview to open. Liquor licence delays are the culprits in both the Captain's Wheel and Buttonhook. The sign out front of the 'Wheel sez opening will occur June 17. No word on the 'Hook as of yet.